A six-time All-Star first baseman for the Yankees from 1982-95,
Mattingly rejoined New York in 2004 as hitting coach. Torre, hired
by New York before the 1996 season, is entering the final season of
his contract and isn't sure he wants to manage beyond 2007.

"It's probably a step in that direction," Mattingly said
Wednesday during a telephone conference call. "I want to have an
opportunity to manage at some point."

Also Wednesday, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner returned to
his office at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla., for the first time
since fainting Sunday in Chapel Hill, N.C., while watching a
granddaughter in a play.

It marked the second time in three years that the 76-year-old
Steinbrenner had fainted and been hospitalized overnight.

"I feel good. It's business as usual," he said after spending
five hours at his office.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he had been in daily
contact with the owner.

Cashman acknowledged Mattingly could follow Torre, saying this
"was the next logical step."

"I think it's possible. That's something over time that could
happen," Cashman said. "But I did have a discussion with Donnie
to make sure there was no confusion: This does not guarantee
that."

A fan favorite, Mattingly has spent much of the past three
seasons working in batting cages with Jason Giambi, Alex Rodriguez
and others. From his retirement until 2004, his involvement with
the Yankees was primarily as a spring-training instructor because
he wanted to spend time with his family as his children grew.

As soon as he returned to the clubhouse fulltime, the idea of
managing intrigued him.

"I knew I kind of wanted to do it right away, pretty much right
away, but I didn't feel I was ready in any way shape or form to
move in that direction," he said. "I've known for a while that I
wanted to do it but it's not something I really wanted to come out
and to say. It's more something I wanted to grow into."

Cashman didn't think that Mattingly would benefit much from
managing in the minor leagues due to constrictions the big league
club places on the use of players to keep them ready as major
league fill-ins.

"Going to the bench is going give him some added experience and
insight into the decision-making process that managers have to
do," Cashman said. "This is going to give him the added insight
of dealing with assisting Joe Torre in all aspects of the game."

Lee Mazzilli had returned to the Yankees this year as bench
coach. The Yankees are not bringing back the former Baltimore
manager.

"He is not a scapegoat for why we lost," Cashman said, adding
that "sometimes there's some complexities involved in it" and
listing various team executives who also have input into the
coaching staff.

"I think Maz is a good coach and would be an asset for anybody
out there who would have an interest in him," Cashman said. "But
again, it's a tough business and change unfortunately at times is a
part of the business."

NotesKevin Long takes over as the Yankees' hitting coach after
three seasons in that role with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers of
the International League. Cashman said the other coaches -- Ron
Guidry (pitching), Larry Bowa (third base), Tony Pena (first base)
and Joe Kerrigan (bullpen) -- want to return and that he is trying
to work out contracts. ... Other than to say he had spoken with
agent Rufus Williams, Cashman declined to discuss Gary Sheffield,
who said he doesn't want the Yankees to exercise their $13 million
option. That decision must be made by Sunday.